Exhibition Schedule

Current Exhibition

Celadon and White Porcelain

White carries images of purity and integrity, and blue, images of sky and sea. These images and esthetics of white and blue are also reflected in the world of white porcelain and celadon in East Asia. Delicate and subtle differences of the white and blue colors cannot be expressed in a word—sometimes they show warmth of texture, but sometimes give a tense impression. This exhibition will feature the beauty of these ceramics through masterpieces from ancient ceramics of East Asia, as well as from modern and contemporary white porcelain and celadon. Which do you prefer, white or blue?

Exhibition Schedule

January 12 (Fri) – March 25 (Sun), 2018

Karamono and Cha no yu

It is at the end of the Nara period that tea was introduced to Japan from China. During the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, the custom of drinking tea became popular, and items from China, called karamono, were valued as tea utensils. During the Momoyama period, as wabicha became popular, kōrai jawan (Korean tea bowls) and wamono (Japanese vessels) also became popular, but even into the Edo period, karamono were prized as tea utensils and ceremonial items by the samurai family. This exhibition will explore the role karamono played as well as its development in the formation of estheticism of the world of cha no yu.

April 13 (Fri) – June 17 (Sun), 2018

The Beauty of Modern Japan

After experiencing the turbulent period of the Bakumatsu (End of Edo) to Meiji Restoration, Japan entered a new modern era. The newly introduced Western technology and culture brought about changes to the art world as well. Artists who were active then and into the Shōwa period were conscious of the past, and at the same time searched for expressions that would match the contemporary esthetics. This exhibition will feature how artists opened the door to modern age in the areas of painting and arts and crafts. We hope that you will enjoy the great achievements and the masterpieces shining with fresh radiance.

June 29 (Fri) — September 2 (Sun), 2018

Forms and Expressions of Prayer — Introduction to Buddhist Art

Since its introduction to Japan, Buddhism has continued to attract strong faith of the people. People’s earnest prayer resulted in different forms of art, from beautiful Buddhist paintings to elegant Buddhist sculptures. Ranging from mandalas depicting the Esoteric Buddhist world, paintings of the wonderful world of the Western Paradise of Amida Buddha, paintings of Hell where people undergo judgment, to Zen paintings by priests who sought for awakening through ascetic practices—we will display representative Buddhist art pieces of each period to reflect upon the forms of devotion and solemnity. Oil paintings by Georges Rouault will also be on show. We hope that you will enjoy the masterpieces created with piety and devotion.

September 7 (Fri) —November 4 (Sun), 2018

Colors of Flowers and Birds — Sesshū and Edo Paintings

Kachō, or literally flowers and birds, is one of the most appreciated themes in Japanese art. Flowers that bloom each season are continuously read in poetry, and are established as themes for paintings and designs in arts and crafts. Images of birds that gather around these flowers are also cherished and turned into symbols of happiness and life. This show will feature the appealing kachō designs through works such as the screens of “Birds and Flowers of the Four Seasons” attributed to Sesshū, as well as other birds-and-flowers paintings and arts and crafts.

November 9 (Fri) — December 24 (Mon), 2018

Celadon and White Porcelain

White carries images of purity and integrity, and blue, images of sky and sea. These images and esthetics of white and blue are also reflected in the world of white porcelain and celadon in East Asia. Delicate and subtle differences of the white and blue colors cannot be expressed in a word—sometimes they show warmth of texture, but sometimes give a tense impression. This exhibition will feature the beauty of these ceramics through masterpieces from ancient ceramics of East Asia, as well as from modern and contemporary white porcelain and celadon. Which do you prefer, white or blue?

January 11 (Fri) — March 24 (Sun), 2019

Raku Tea Bowls and Splendor of Kyoto

Since the Momoyama period when wabi-cha was founded, Japanese vessels came into the mainstream of tea utensils. Among these items, at the top of the list, are Raku ware created in Kyoto. Raku ware was initiated by Chōjirō who was introduced to the world of tea by Sen no Rikyū, and made vessels by hand-forming, bringing out the best texture of the clay. Ever since, its overwhelming presence has continued to attract the tea masters. This exhibition will display Raku family masterpieces from over generations, and other tea ceramics from Kyoto, with paintings and calligraphy demonstrating aristocratic elegance.